Best Vermouths for Sipping and Mixing
-
Carpano Antica Italy Vermouth -
Vya Sweet Vermouth -
Noilly Prat Sweet Vermouth -
Noilly Prat Extra Dry Vermouth -
Martini & Rossi Extra Dry Vermouth -
Dolin Dry Vermouth -
Vya Extra Dry Vermouth -
Buyer's Guide
Back when it was first invented, vermouth was used as patent medicine, a harmless cure-all with a medicinal flavor that made many people believe it had the power to heal anything from frazzled nerves to bouts of consumption. Though there really is no medicinal benefit to drinking vermouth, this herbal, bitter fortified wine has remained a popular ingredient in mixed drinks and is still enjoyed as a once-a-day preventative in some parts of France and Italy.
Vermouth is made by adding a mixture of herbs and spices to white wine during the fermentation process. Each vermouth maker uses their own unique blend and these recipes are all closely guarded secrets. This means that the aromas and flavors found in vermouth can vary considerably from one label to another. After the yeast has fermented out all the sugars, vermouth is then fortified with a distilled grape liquor and then sweetened with sugar as needed for the particular style.
There are a variety of different styles of vermouth, including dry vermouth, which is a common ingredient in the Martini, and sweet vermouth, which is usually red in color thanks to the addition of certain herbs and caramelized sugars. In France and Italy, both sweet and dry vermouth are often enjoyed on their own as an aperitif or a digestif and though you wouldn't want to drink a glass of every type of vermouth, there are some mild ones that are delicious neat or poured over ice. Check out our list of the best vermouths in 2022.
Best Vermouths of 2022 Reviewed in Detail
Carpano Antica Italy Vermouth - Best Vermouth Overall
Our favorite sweet vermouth just so happens to be one of the most highly regarded in the world. Carpano Antica Formula has scored 95 points with Wine Enthusiast and is popular with both professional critics and casual home bartenders. Though the exact recipe is a well-guarded secret, Carpano has been making this style of vermouth since 1786. It has an incredibly complex flavor profile, with notes of rose petal, chamomile, orange zest, cocoa, toffee, and spice. The nose is equally as intricate, with mint, citrus, herbs, figs, and plums. The sweetness is well balanced by an intensely bitter finish, making it excellent on its own or in a Manhattan.
Vya Sweet Vermouth - Runner Up
Two-time winner of the award for best vermouth at the London International Wine Challenge, Vya Sweet Vermouth is one of our Best Picks. This vermouth has been infused with 17 different herbs and spices and has flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other sweet spices reminiscent of baked goods. There's plenty of sugary sweetness to Vya Sweet Vermouth, but thanks to an infusion with seeds, roots, and bark, there's also plenty of bitterness, especially on the finish. A moderately priced bottle, this vermouth can be enjoyed on its own or mixed into a cocktail to lend its complexity to your favorite drink.
Noilly Prat Sweet Vermouth - Consider
The top secret recipe used to create Noilly Prat Sweet Vermouth was first created in 1813. Since then, it has been fine tuned and tweaked until the winemakers were able to create a perfectly balanced, sweet, bitter, and aromatic fortified wine. There are 30 different herbs and spices used in the recipe, including cloves, cinnamon, and quinine. Though it can be enjoyed on its own, it is a bit on the strong side, and really shines when added to a whiskey-based cocktail or mixed with tonic water.
Noilly Prat Extra Dry Vermouth - Best Dry Vermouth
One of the world's first makers of vermouth, Noilly Prat is known around the world for making some of the best dry vermouth in the world. The basic recipe has been the same since the 1850s and though the specifics are a closely guarded secret, there are around twenty different herbs and spices added to this vermouth. It has flavors of orange peel, cloves, and nutmeg, and a bitter finish. Noilly Prat Extra Dry Vermouth is an essential component of the American Martini and can be added to a variety of other cocktails that could use a touch of aromatics or a little bitterness to cut through a sweet liqueur.
Martini & Rossi Extra Dry Vermouth - Best Dry Vermouth
Martini & Rossi Extra Dry Vermouth was first introduced to the world on New Year's Day 1900. A blend of Italian white wines and a variety of different herbs, this vermouth is ideal when added to vodka or wine based cocktails. Unlike many vermouths, this one isn't overly bitter, instead focusing on the sweet and aromatic qualities of this special type of fortified wine. There's no aftertaste at all, making it perfect when you want a clean finish on your drink. Though it isn't bitter, this isn't a vermouth you'd want to drink on its own; it's much better as a component of a cocktail.
Dolin Dry Vermouth - Best Dry Vermouth
Incredibly dry and rather light in terms of both flavor and aromatics, Dolin Dry Vermouth is one of our favorite dry vermouths. It's made from a blend of up to 54 different plants, including chamomile, chincona bark, rose petals, and wormwood, giving it an earthiness and bitterness that makes it an excellent addition to a cocktail. Dolin can also be enjoyed on its own, either chilled or over ice since it isn't as intensely flavorful as most other vermouths. Though it is quite a bit more expensive than most other dry vermouths, it's well balanced and has an excellent flavor. It really is worth the extra price.
Vya Extra Dry Vermouth - Best Dry Vermouth
In Europe, vermouth is traditionally made with neutral wines, which allows the aromatic herbs to shine through. The Californian creator of Vya Extra Dry Vermouth deviated from the norm, choosing to use a blend of intensely aromatic Orange Muscat and dry white wines as the base for their superb vermouth. The blend of flowers and leaves makes this a quite herbal vermouth that doesn't have the pronounced bitterness that makes many people shy away from vermouth. Instead, this herbal fortified wine is crisp and flavorful, lending complexity to vodka and gin based cocktails. Since it's on the mild side, it can also be enjoyed on the rocks or chilled and served neat.
Buyer's Guide
Best Vermouths Buyer’s Guide
Vermouth! It is an unsung hero in most of the classic cocktails that you can try! This drink is a fortified and aromatized wine with an ancient history linked to ancient Indian, Chinese, and Greek civilizations. Different botanical ingredients were part of the process for medical benefits, such as wormwood, which you may have heard of. As it is bitter, it was a medicine used to cure stomach problems. Note that wormwood, or wermut, was a German word that gave way to the naming of vermouth. Over the years, it has evolved into a drink for enjoyment instead of being a medical tonic.
Planning to try out vermouth for the first time? The below buying guide is going to assist you in purchasing the best vermouth for yourself:
What Are Different Types of Vermouth?
If you haven’t tried this drink before, then picking one can be difficult. However, we are going to tell you all about the three different types so you can pick the best for your preferences:
Sweet
It is also known as red, rojo, or rosso as it has a darker color and sweeter taste compared to the white vermouth style. Traditionally, the sweet type of wine was made using a red wine base. But now, it is made using a white wine base. Some important ingredients present in this wine include alcohol, botanicals, and it is made sweeter by adding 15% sugar. You can pair this type of vermouth with rye, scotch, bourbon, and dark rum to enjoy your drink.
Dry
Typically, this style is bone dry and has no sugar. White wine grapes are also part of the process. Similar to the sweet vermouth, dry wine also has different botanicals, fruits, and alcohol. This type has more citrus and herbaceous flavor in comparison to the sweet vermouths.
You can pair it well with light spirits like vodka, gin, and tequila. Moreover, you can also use it with sweet type and sweetened liqueurs for making a cocktail.
Bianco/Blanc
In France, you will see the blanc type, and in Italy, you will see the bianco version. Blanc vermouth will be lying between the above two types and will range in sweetness from one to another brand. This style has a light floral or herbal flavor.
It is highly versatile in taste. You can use it for its sweet flavor to complement a dry cocktail. You can also drink it straight over ice or in a Highball with seltzer, providing you with an outstanding balance of sweetness.
What Are the Important Ingredients of Vermouth?
This drink has to be 75% wine derived from white grapes, and the remaining portion is a mixture of sugar, botanicals, and alcohol. The blend of botanicals and selection of wine can be different depending on the producer’s recipe.
Some of the different botanicals used in the making of vermouth are as follows:
Citrus
Orange, lemon, lime, bergamot orange, pomelo peel, and bitter orange.
Bitters
Sweet flag, cinchona bark, wormwood, angelica root, licorice root, cascarilla, and orris root.
Spices
Star anise, clove, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, vanilla, tonka bean, vanilla, and mace.
Herbs
Orris root, gallic rose, Kieffer lime leaves, sage, honeysuckle flower, chamomile, lavender, oregano, juniper, ginger, St.John’s wort, marjoram, and hyssop.
How Do You Serve and Store Vermouth?
Here are a few ways for storing and serving vermouth:
Serving
Serve the vermouth over ice or mix it with soda, water, or tonic. The ABV (alcohol by volume) in vermouth is 16% to 18%, so it acts as a low-alcohol option for vodka and tonic. The white amber and rose vermouth should be served cooler than red vermouth, and both should be cooler than room temperature.
You can also use vermouth as a cocktail ingredient. Some of the most popular cocktails that use vermouth include the Negroni, Manhattan, and Martini. If you like, you can also make a lighter cocktail, make a white Negroni with the help of Little Blanc, Suze gentian liqueur, and gin.
Storage
As said before, vermouth is a fortified drink— you can keep it as long as you want compared to regular wine. But unlike the spirits, an open bottle oxidizes and deteriorates over time. Once you open your bottle, keep it inside your fridge, and it will stay good for three months.
What Are Some Modern Uses of Vermouths?
Nowadays, vermouth is used in two different ways:
Beverage
It has become a common cocktail ingredient. People use it due to its lower alcohol content with strong spirits as their base for a pleasant herbal flavor. Note that vermouth is an essential ingredient in the Martini, which is one of the most famous cocktails.
Cooking
Vermouth is a great substitute for white wine in different food recipes because it is more flavorful than wine. You can also use it in other dishes as well. The herbs present within the vermouth will make this a good ingredient in sauces for fish recipes and marinades for meats like chicken and pork.
Best Vermouths FAQs
Q: Can I drink vermouth straight?
A: You can drink it straight in a chilled glass over frozen grapes or ice. However, some people drink with some citrus twist to complement the dark vermouth. In the case of lighter vermouth, they use lemon.
Q: Can drinking old vermouth make you sick?
A: It will not make you sick, but this will be unpleasant for you in terms of taste. Using old vermouth may ruin your cocktail.
Q: How to use old vermouth?
A: You can use it in many dishes. Add it in place of red wine for making chocolate sauces or jams. Moreover, you can also use dry type in different savory recipes as it pairs well with seafood, shellfish, and poultry.
